Mother of the Groom

Like most mothers who adore their sons, I had planned for their weddings in my mind for years. But when it came time to actually get ready, I was ill prepared. I read as many magazines and books as I could get my hands on about weddings. But most of them dealt with the preparations for the bride and her family and what the groom needs to do and purchase. There was little information for the groom’s mother. I came to feel that I was the least important person, but I was expected to show up.

The day of the weddings, we survived hurricanes and floods. I learned what to wear and umbrella with me, my hair held up.

I went to purchase a newspaper for that day. I wanted to save it and give it to Erik and Nancy for their first anniversary as a remembrance. I went to the section with the weather report. It said that Hurricane Bertha was to hit Ithaca, New York at 6:00 P.M. that day. The wedding was scheduled for 6:30! I began to panic.

I called Erik when I arrived back at the cabin. I told him the hurricane was to hit there that day. He said, "I know, Mom. I have been watching the weather reports all week. I just did not tell you because I did not want you to worry."

Gee, thanks a lot. Now I was really worried.

There were four weddings scheduled that day